Summary: What happens when a system returns a response with no story, no narrative, and no lesson to be gleaned—just a transactional notification of failure? In the world of APIs and automated messaging, this isn’t rare. But just because something lacks flair doesn't mean it lacks importance. A JSON response about insufficient balance exposes a core issue in product design, user experience, and communication priorities. It’s not a story on its own, but it's a sign—a flare in the night—that tells us something bigger: many digital systems have no empathy built in.
Error Messages: The Digital Wall
When users see a JSON response like this one:
{
"error": {
"code": "INSUFFICIENT_BALANCE",
"name": "InsufficientAccountBalance",
"status": 402,
"message": "Your account balance is too low to perform this action."
}
}What they’re really receiving is a wall. A dead end. It tells them something went wrong, but gives them no direction, no empathy, and no sense of what to do next. From a developer standpoint, it’s clear, organized, and technically correct. But from a user’s perspective? It’s sterile, dismissive, and offers no path forward.
This Isn't Just a Message—It's a Missed Opportunity
Let’s be blunt. Users don’t care about error codes. They care about outcomes. Whether it’s a freelancer submitting a deliverable, a business recharging a service, or someone trying to pay for a subscription, an insufficient balance isn’t just a technical problem. It’s a disruption of momentum. When systems shoot back automated, context-less responses, they fail at creating trust. Even worse, they create friction exactly at a moment where users most need clarity and options.
Why This Matters for Marketers and Product Owners
Chris Voss taught a powerful principle in negotiation: people want to be understood, not processed. This principle applies perfectly here. When APIs give flat messages, they assume users are robots. That disrespects the emotional experience of using a product, especially when money is involved. People fear hidden charges. They worry about getting locked out. Some feel frustration; others feel shame.
A smart marketer or product designer should ask: “What does this tell the user about us?” Are you saying, “We're just a vending machine,” or are you saying, “We see you, and we can help make it right”?
Error Messages Are a Sales Moment in Disguise
Let’s flip it. What if instead of a flat 402 error, the system responded with:
{
"error": {
"code": "INSUFFICIENT_BALANCE",
"name": "InsufficientAccountBalance",
"status": 402,
"message": "It looks like your balance isn’t high enough right now. Would you like to add funds or speak to support?"
}
}Suddenly, we’re not dead-ending the user. We’re giving them a fork in the road. We’re using our “No” as a starting point for a more valuable conversation. That’s negotiation. That’s empathy. And yes, that’s effective sales infrastructure. Because this version doesn’t just nudge a user to keep moving—it tells them we care about what they’re trying to do.
The Power of Clarity and Voice
This discussion points toward something deeper: language is product. And good product design means speaking like a human, even in the most technical contexts. JSON can't tell stories—but what surrounds JSON can. The interface, the copy above the error, the quick actions below the message—all of that either continues a helpful dialogue or silences the user with code-speak they don’t understand.
So the problem isn’t the lack of story in the JSON message. The problem is when the entire system takes its tone and behavior from code instead of conversation. What we communicate in our “No’s” tells the user more about our brand than what we say when things work smoothly.
Next Steps: What Should You Change?
Here’s where commitment and consistency matter. If you’re serious about user experience, take ownership of your system messages. Audit your error responses—not just for information accuracy but for human engagement. Ask out loud with your team:
- “What emotion is the user likely feeling right now?”
- “Are we offering a way forward or just pointing to the exit?”
- “Is there a chance to connect, reassure, or redirect instead of bounce them out?”
You don’t need flowery language. You need functional empathy. You need strategic mirroring—reflect the user’s probable mindset, and offer calm, direct support. Your brand should sound less like a supervisor reading a policy and more like a professional who’s dealt with this before and knows the way out.
When Nothing Happens, Something Always Does
The silence behind a JSON error is not neutral. It either builds or breaks trust. It either invites the user to continue or nudges them out the door. That silence can be strategically broken with clear messaging, better response design, and empathy built into the bones of the system.
There may be no story in the JSON—but there sure as hell is one forming in the user’s head. It's your job to shape that story with your next message, your next choice, and your next opportunity to keep them connected.
#ProductDesign #UserExperience #ErrorMessages #DeveloperTools #APICommunication #MarketingThroughUX #BehavioralDesign #BusinessLanguage #EthicalMarketing #ClientRetention
Featured Image courtesy of Unsplash and Frederic Köberl (VV5w_PAchIk)